The mother-of-two went one step further as she asked her family, friends and colleagues to record their own impromptu dance videos in solidarity with her.

"I have visions of a healing video montage,” the obstetrician wrote on her CaringBridge web page. “Nothing brings me greater joy than catalysing others to dance, move, be in their bodies. Are you with me people?”

They duly responded, her colleagues at San Francisco General Hospital filmed themselves partying in a corridor and added a message that they were "sending healing energy".